Jim Thorpe, Weatherly Schools Are Placed On Piaa Probation

December 12, 1985|by ROBERT FLEXER, The Morning Call

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has placed Jim Thorpe and Weatherly high schools on probation for one year each as a result of an incident at an Oct. 5 football game in Weatherly.

The Jim Thorpe Area School Board was advised of the PIAA's District 11 decision this week in a letter from attorney Richard C. Jay, District 11 solicitor, to Karl Dickl, corresponding secretary for District 11.

According to officials of the Jim Thorpe district, the probation is a "very stern warning," but should pose no problems unless another incident arises. The probation affects all sports teams at the school, not just the football program.

The football game was stopped with 8:31 left in the third quarter when a parent came onto the field and grabbed a Jim Thorpe player by the face mask after two Jim Thorpe players and one from Weatherly were ejected. Officials felt there was a potential for a serious incident and halted the game.

Since that time, the seven game officials have come under fire for their handling of the situation and the two schools have adopted policies seeking to prevent any more problems between them including not playing football against each other for at least two years.

"It is the decision of the District 11 Committee that both Weatherly High School and Jim Thorpe High School be placed on probation for a period of one year effective upon receipt of their communication during which time each school is to develop a viable in-service program stressing proper decorum, sportsmanship, restraint and judgement for coaches of all interscholastic athletics. The reports of the in-service program are to be submitted quarterly to the District 11 Committee," wrote Jay.

The District 11 letter commends the "administrations of both schools and their respective school boards for the swift, decisive and forceful action taken to ensure that there be no reoccurrences of the unfortunate incident" which occurred at the game.

The letter, however, suggests that "administrative personnel at Jim Thorpe High School orient their student body about the incident, administrative response and expectations of the school district in the area of interscholastic competition."

The letter also finds fault with the coaching staffs of the two squads in the incident and "has grave concerns about the responses of both coaching staffs to what they themselves refer to as a minor incident.

"Coaches from both schools ran upon the playing field without authorization from the seven officials officiating at the game. Although there is some dispute about the factual situation, there is general agreement among the parties that altercations took place between coaches and, at time, players were involved. The coach is the leader whom the players emulate. He must be above the battle exercising good judgement, restraint and decorum."

Jim Thorpe officials were far from pleased with the decision.

Director Glenn F. Confer Sr., chairman of the athletic committee, said he didn't see one Jim Thorpe parentstep onto the field and added that the Jim Thorpe coaches were provoked when the Weatherly fan grabbed the Jim Thorpe player.

James Pfingstler, high school principal, said there was major disapproval that Jim Thorpe coaches allegedly became involved in the incident, and added that the decision did not rule against one school or the other.

School Board President William Ackerman said the ruling failed to hit the cause the problem, the officials. "It didn't address the problem that seven game officials couldn't do the job that five could. This is ridiculous."

Weatherly High School Principal Peter McMonigle ordered that seven instead of the normal five game officials work the game because he feared problems would arise because of the intense rivalry.

McMonigle received special commendation in the District 11 letter "for his actions in formulating a comprehensive program to ensure that future incidents such as this will not occur again." Ackerman said he wondered that Jim Thorpe officials did not receive such commendation for their actions following the incident.

Superintendent Thomas Sanguiliano released a statement on the probation that met with the approval of the school directors.

Speaking on the probation, Sanguiliano said, "I will support this action by the PIAA because our coaches had no business on the playing field. The high school principal, Mr. Pfingstler, has informed all coaches of all interscholastic sports about their responsibilities for good judgment and restraint during athletic contests in which our teams are involved. He has also spoken to our student athletes concerning the same matter.